Schlumbergera plant named &#39;SAMBA BRAZIL&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Schlumbergera  plant named ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ particularly characterized by large upright to vertical flowers, with less reflexing of petals; flowers which have petals which are red-purple (RHS 58A)in color at the edges, color transitioning to orange (RHS 27D) and then white (RHS N155B) at the center of petal, and with a white (RHS N155C) throat; large quantity of flowers per plant; moderately vigorous growth rate and fairly compact, freely branching growth habit; and ovoid to lanceolatoid buds red-purple (RHS N66A) in color.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Schlumbergera truncata

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘SAMBA BRAZIL’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofSchlumbergera plant, botanically known as Schlumbergera truncata(Haworth) Moran., commonly known as Thanksgiving Cactus, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’.

Schlumbergera (formerly Zygocacatus) of the Cactaceae family consists of6 known species which are epiphytic cacti and native to Brazil. Commonnames for Schlumbergera plants include: Crab Cactus for the cultivar'sclaw-like phylloclade margin, Thanksgiving Cactus for cultivars whichbloom in November, and Christmas Cactus for cultivars which bloom inDecember.

The new Schlumbergera cultivar is a product of a planned breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, Lau Lindegaard RASMUSSEN, in Fyn,Demark. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a newSchlumbergera cultivar with excellent branching habit and large, uprightflowers with a unique color combination.

The new Schlumbergera cultivar originated from an outcrossing made bythe inventor, Lau Lindegaard RASMUSSEN, in 2001 in Fyn, Demark. Thefemale or seed parent is the Schlumbergera truncata ‘SALSA DANCER’(unpatented, disclosed in EU-CPVO No. 2004/1247). The male or pollenparent is an Schlumbergera truncata ‘8620A’ (unpatented). The newSchlumbergera cultivar was discovered and selected by the inventor as asingle flowering plant within the progeny of the stated outcrossing in acontrolled environment in 2003 in Fyn, Denmark, on the basis of itsflower color and its fairly compact and freely branching habit. Plantsof the new Schlumbergera are more upright, and have a unique colorcombination of the flowers combined with healthy, shiny greenphyllocladia and excellent branching.

Asexual reproduction of the new Schlumbergera cultivar by phyllocladecuttings, followed by trial production batches, was first performed inJanuary of 2004 in Fyn, Denmark, and has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ which in combinationdistinguish this Schlumbergera as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large upright to vertical flowers, with less reflexing of petals;

2. Flowers which have petals which are red-purple (RHS 58A)in color atthe edges, color transitioning to orange (RHS 27D) and then white (RHSN155B) at the center of petal, and with a white (RHS N155C) throat;

3. Large quantity of flowers per plant;

4. Moderately vigorous growth rate and fairly compact, freely branchinggrowth habit; and

5. Ovoid to lanceolatoid buds red-purple (RHS N66A) in color.

Plants of the new Schlumbergera truncata ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ differ fromplants of the female parental cultivar, Schlumbergera truncata ‘SALSADANCER’ (unpatented, disclosed in EU-CPVO No. 2004/1247) in thefollowing characteristics:

1. Plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ have a petal color combination of red-purplelobe edges (RHS 58A) with transition zone of orange (RHS 27D) to white(RHS 155B) at center and a white (RHS 155C) tube color whereas plants of‘SALSA DANCER’ have a petal color combination of red-purple lobe edges(RHS 71C) with a white center (RHS 155A) and a white (RHS 155C) tubecolor;

2. Plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ have less reflexing petals than plants of‘SALSA DANCER’;

3. Plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ produce longer (3.7 cm to 4.2 cm) andlighter green (RHS 137C) phyllocladia whereas plants of ‘SALSA DANCER’produce shorter (3.4 cm to 4.0 cm) and dark green (RHS 138A)phyllocladia;

4. Plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ have undulating to curly phyllocladiamargins whereas plants of ‘SALSA DANCER’ have flat phyllocladia margins;

5. Plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ are taller (about 21 cm) than plants of‘SALSA DANCER’ (about 17 cm); and

6. Plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ produce more flowers and buds per plant(about 30 to 40) whereas plants of ‘SALSA DANCER’ produce less flowersand buds per plant (about 25 to 35).

Plants of the male parental cultivar, Schlumbergera truncata ‘8620A’(unpatented), are not available to provide a botanical comparison toplants of the new Schlumbergera truncata ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new Schlumbergera ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ is thefemale parental cultivar, Schlumbergera truncata ‘SALSA DANCER’, asdescribed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Schlumbergera cultivar ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ showing the colors as true asis reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colorsin the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited inthe detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colorof ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’.

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ (identified by breeder's reference no. 2829B) grown in a9.0 cm pots, at 10 to 11 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant offemale parental and comparison cultivar ‘SALSA DANCER’ (identified bybreeder's reference no. 9536C) grown in a 9.0 cm pots, at 10 to 11months of age.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up comparison view of typical immature (not opened)flowers and phyllocladia of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ (identified by breeder'sreference no. 2829B) and typical immature (not opened) flowers andphyllocladia of ‘SALSA DANCER’ (identified by breeder's reference no.9536C) at 10 to 11 months of age.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up comparison view of typical mature (fully opened)flowers and phyllocladia of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ (identified by breeder'sreference no. 2829B) and mature (fully opened) flowers and phyllocladiaof ‘SALSA DANCER’ (identified by breeder's reference no. 9536C) at 10 to11 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ has not been observedunder all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the newcultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype ofthe plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’as grown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Fyn, Denmark, under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.Plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ are themo-photo-periodic and will develop budsand bloom best under short day conditions (less than 12 hours ofsunlight for a period of 4 weeks). Plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’ are grownunder an average day temperature of 18° C. and an average nighttemperature of 16° C. Ambient light levels of +50 W m-2 were used and nogrowth retardants were applied when growing plants of ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (RHS), 4^(th) edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. The photographs and descriptions were takenduring the Fall of 2007 in Fyn, Denmark, when outdoor day temperaturesaveraged 18° C. and outdoor night temperatures averaged 16° C. The ageof the plants described is about 40 weeks after cutting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Schlumbergera truncata.        -   Common name.—Thanksgiving Cactus.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Schlumbergera truncata ‘SALSA DANCER’            (unpatented, disclosed in EU-CPVO No. 2004/1247).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Schlumbergera truncata ‘8620A’            (unpatented).-   Propagation: By single, mature phylloclade cuttings.    -   -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—In a greenhouse,            about 30 days at 18° C. to 21° C.        -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted cutting.—In a            greenhouse, about 50 days at 18° C. to 21° C.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fine, well-branched and RHS            155A, white in color.-   Plant:    -   -   Type.—Perennial, Epiphyte.        -   Growth habit.—Overall upright and becoming pendent as            lateral branches lengthen.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching, with two or three new            phylloclades forming at the apical of older phylloclades.        -   Vigor.—Slow growth rate.        -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 10 months are required to            produce a finished flowering plant in an 9 cm pot.        -   Size at maturity.—Height (soil level to top of plant,            including flowers): About 21 cm. Spread: About 23 cm to 25            cm.-   Stem: None, older phylloclades may turn woody with age (several    years).-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Arrangement.—Phylloclades form at the apical end of older            phylloclades to form branches.        -   Quantity.—About 6 to 7.        -   Length.—Primary: About 4.5 cm (1 phylloclade). Secondary:            About 7 cm to 9 cm (2 to 3 phylloclades).        -   Width.—About 4 cm to 5 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright to arching (from basal phylloclade).        -   Strength.—Strong (from basal phylloclade).        -   Appearance.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Color.—Green, RHS N137A.-   Phylloclade:    -   -   Arrangement.—Single and sequential.        -   Quantity per lateral branch.—About 8 to 9.        -   Length.—About 3.7 cm to 4.2 cm.        -   Width.—About 3.0 cm to 3.5 cm.        -   Thickness.—About 4 mm to 5 mm (at center vein of            phylloclade).        -   Overall shape.—Oblong to rotund.        -   Apex shape.—Truncate with 2-4 protruding marginal teeth            (about 6 mm to 8 mm in length), forming a claw-like shape.        -   Base shape.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Undulating and Serrated; about 2-4 teeth (5-7 mm in            length).        -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Color of upper surface.—Immature: Green, RHS 137C Mature:            Green, RHS 137A Margin: Green, RHS 137A.        -   Color of under surface.—Immature: Green, RHS 137D Mature:            Green, RHS 137A Margin: Green, RHS 137A.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Costate. Color (Upper and Under            Surfaces): Green, RHS 137A.-   Areole: Not true areole structure; tip of phylloclade is barbellate,    4-6 short hairs or bristles.-   Inflorescence description:-   Arrangement and appearance: Single, double or triple sessile flowers    borne on apical end of phylloclades. Flowers are hose-in-hose and    zygomorphic. When mature flowers are fully open, they form a right    angle to the phylloclade. Flowers persistent; petals fold and wither    slowly.-   Natural flowering season: Flowering occurs from October to January    (northern hemisphere), but can be changed by short day    photo-treatments.-   Flowering response time: About 10 weeks from planting.-   Rate of flowers opening: About 4 per week, depending on temperature    and light.-   Flowering longevity (dependent on temperature and light conditions):    About 5 to 6 days.-   Fragrance: None.-   Quantity of flowers per lateral branch: About 3 to 5.-   Quantity of buds per lateral branch: About 2.-   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant: About 30 to 40.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Length.—About 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm (before anthesis).        -   Width.—About 1.3 cm to 1.4 cm (before anthesis).        -   Shape.—Lanceolatoid with mucronate tip.        -   Color.—Red-purple, RHS N66A.-   Flower:    -   -   Type.—Single.        -   Shape.—Tubular, hose-in-hose triple perianth.        -   Aspect.—Initially facing upward, later facing outward (right            angle to phylloclade).        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent, but drops after            withering.-   Corolla size:    -   -   Depth.—About 7.0 cm (including ovary).        -   Diameter.—About 7.0 cm.        -   Tube length.—About 30 mm.        -   Tube diameter.—About 9 mm.-   Petals:    -   -   Quantity.—Apical Whorl: About 8 to 9; Basal whorl: About 5.        -   Length.—About 2.7 cm to 3.5 cm.        -   Width.—About 1.8 cm to 2.0 cm.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Apex.—Rounded to obtuse.        -   Base.—Apical Whorl: Fused; Basal Whorl: Free.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Appearance.—Shiny        -   Texture.—Silky (both surfaces).        -   Color (when opening, both upper and under surfaces).—Petals:            Red-purple, RHS 58A, transitioning to orange, RHS 27D, with            white, RHS N155B, center; Petal Margin: Red-purple, RHS 58A;            Tube: White, RHS N155C.        -   Color (when fully opened, both upper and under            surfaces).—Petals: Red-purple, RHS 58A, transitioning to            orange, RHS 27D, with white, RHS N155B, center; Petal            Margin: Red-purple, RHS 58A; Tube: White, RHS N155C.        -   Color fading.—None.-   Petaloids:    -   -   Appearance.—Same as petals.        -   Arrangement.—Free.        -   Quantity.—About 7 to 9.        -   Length.—Up to 1.5 cm.        -   Width.—About 0.7 cm to 1.0 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Free or Fused.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Silky.        -   Color (immature and mature, upper and under            surfaces).—Red-purple, RHS N66A.-   Sepals:    -   -   Appearance.—Same as petals.        -   Arrangement.—Free.        -   Quantity.—About 5.        -   Length.—About 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm.        -   Width.—About 0.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Color (immature and mature, upper and under            surfaces).—Overall: Red-purple, RHS N66B; Margin:            Red-purple, RHS 58A.-   Reproductive organs:-   Androecium:    -   -   Stamen.—Quantity: About 20 to 40 polyandrous,            phaneranherous, incurved. Some filaments fused to perianth            tube (connate). Length: About 45 mm. Color: White, RHS 155D,            translucent.        -   Anther.—Shape: Basifixed, ovoid. Length: About 1 mm. Color:            Light yellow, RHS 11C.        -   Filament.—Length: About 50 mm to 60 mm. Color: White, RHS            155D, translucent.        -   Pollen.—Amount: Abundant. Color: Light yellow, RHS 11C.-   Gynoecium:    -   -   Pistil.—Quantity: 1. Shape: Slightly curved. Length: About            70 mm.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Claw-like. Color: Red-purple, RHS N74A.        -   Style.—Length: About 67 mm. Color: Red-purple, RHS N74A.        -   Ovary.—Shape: Angular. Length: About 4 to 5 mm. Width: About            5 mm. Color: Greyed-orange, RHS 175A.-   Seeds/fruit: None observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: No test for disease/pest resistance have    been performed yet.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: No test for disease/pest resistance    have been performed yet.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about +2° C.    and to a high temperature about +40° C.

1. A new and distinct Schlumbergera plant named ‘SAMBA BRAZIL’, asillustrated and described herein.